As the American summer sun casts long shadows, Ray LaMontagne welcomes listeners on a reflective journey with his latest single, “Long Way Home,” which serves as a prelude to his highly anticipated ninth studio album of the same name, which will be released on August 16.

“Long Way Home” is the album’s second single, released under LaMontagne’s new label, Liula Records. The music is a sad, bittersweet homage to the past, with LaMontagne’s distinctive raspy voice weaving through memories and meditations on days gone by. The song’s words, “Summertime, summertime / Said goodbye at the garden wall / From the house I can hear my momma callin’,” convey universal nostalgia, a yearning for youth’s simple and innocent days.

The single follows the success of “Step Into Your Power,” which marked a significant milestone in LaMontagne’s career as his fastest-moving track in the last decade. The preceding track achieved meteoric success at the radio, accompanied by a stop-motion music video animated by LaMontagne’s son, Tobias.

“Long Way Home” has a poignant contemplation on the path of life. LaMontagne, inspired by a live performance of Townes Van Zandt he saw at 21, recalls a passage from Van Zandt’s “To Live Is To Fly” that has stayed with him for three decades: “When here you been is good and gone, all you keep is the getting there.” This phrase captures the heart of the album, as LaMontagne honors the twisting path of life’s experiences, both victories and trials.

The new album promises to be a rich tapestry of LaMontagne’s growth as an artist and person. With production by Seth Kauffman, known for his work with Angel Olsen and Lana Del Rey, and backing vocals from The Secret Sisters on the album’s first three tracks, “Long Way Home” is set to be a modern folk and Americana music classic.

In support of the album, LaMontagne has planned a series of solo headlining U.S. tour dates beginning September 17, with The Secret Sisters as support. Ray LaMontagne’s next tour with Gregory Alan Isakov will provide fans with a unique opportunity to witness his intimate and thoughtful music in person.

As we await the whole album, “Long Way Home” demonstrates LaMontagne’s continuing brilliance and ability to portray the human experience through music. It serves as a reminder that the journey, with all of its ebbs and flows, shapes us, and that sometimes taking the long way home is the most gratifying path of all.

Famed rock musician Andrew Farriss, best known as the keyboardist and primary composer for INXS, is breaking new ground with his single “Something Stronger.” This exciting song is a taster of his forthcoming album, “The Prospector,” which is expected to have a wealth of musical masterpieces and is scheduled for release in the beginning of 2025.

An upbeat hymn, “Something Stronger” captures the spirit of carefree youth and the dogged pursuit of one’s dreams. As he reflects on his adolescent years, filled with “cheap whisky burnin’ down our teenage throats” and the excitement of being “a back street racer” at the age of seventeen, Farriss’s lyrics capture the essence of rebellion. A song about embracing one’s inner fire, wanting to test one’s limits, and searching for something stronger and longer-lasting.

The official music video for the song embodies the carefree spirit and unbridled enthusiasm of young people, and the song itself has already gone viral. The video, shot at Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar in Tamworth, is a visual extravaganza that goes well with the storyline of the song, including broad roads, fast automobiles, and an unyielding desire for adventure.

The fact that Farriss dabbled with country music shows how versatile he is. With “The Prospector,” he continues his exploration of country music’s storytelling legacy, delving into themes of seeking life’s riches while inspiring others to discover the true treasures. Fans old and new may look forward to hearing an album that pays homage to Farriss’s extensive musical background while also including modern elements.

Looking forward to the release of “The Prospector,” Andrew Farriss extends an invitation to embark on this musical journey with him. He gives fans a taste of the storyline that will enthral them with “Something Stronger,” which is a single full of passion, grit, and the ageless appeal of discovering something stronger in life. Keep an ear out for further details on the album and tour dates and prepare as Andrew Farriss is getting set to transport us to thrilling new worlds through his music.

With its contagious energy and captivating choruses, “Good Night,” the next single by Australian country music sensation Cassidy Rae, is already blazing over the airways and celebrates those carefree nights spent outdoors with friends, when music plays, stories are shared, and memories are created.

You can’t help but be captivated by “Good Night” the moment you hear its pop-country fusion, and its infectious rhythm will have you tapping your foot in no time. The distinctive voice of Cassidy Rae are heard throughout, accompanied by her astute lyrics co-written with powerhouse songwriters Michael Delorenzis and Michael Paynter from MSquared, as Rae paints a picture of a fantastic nighttime celebration.

Listening to “Good Night” feels like being a part of a larger event. It captures the spirit of freedom and youth and serves as the soundtrack to every wonderful night on the town. Cassidy Rae has created perhaps her most upbeat song ever with its combination of country twang and pop polish and it’s sure to be a hit on any playlist.

As Cassidy Rae’s “Good Night” starts to rise in the charts, it’s becoming more apparent that this is one artist whose music speaks to people of all generations, as she makes the kind of songs that makes you want to throw your cares to the wind and live in the now. With its upbeat melody and infectious party spirit, “Good Night” is sure to become a crowd favourite and to be celebrated every time you catch Cassidy Rae on the road.

Let “Good Night” transport you to all the most memorable evenings of your life by cranking up the volume.